Grand Bibliothèque's opening soon. What do you guys think of it? Is it a cultural masterpiece? An architectural beauty? Should other cities get it? I'd love Ottawa to get a new one!
http://lcn.canoe.com/archives/lcn/infos/regional/media/2001/07/20010712-172607-g.jpg
http://www.daoustlestage.com/Pages/04_Projets/01_Institutionnel/06_GBQ/JPEG/Big01.jpg
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New library aims to get Quebeckers reading
Grande Bibliothèque is worthy of its name, CEO says. But will it create book lovers?
By INGRID PERITZ
Friday, April 29, 2005 Page A14

MONTREAL -- It's shaped like a shoebox and its colour is best described as hospital-gown green. To the passerby, Montreal's vaunted new megalibrary might not look like the shrine to literacy and culture that its boosters had promised.

But after years of debate, the Grande Bibliothèque du Québec is finally ready, rising on an entire block in the bohemian -- if slightly seamy -- Latin Quarter of Montreal.

The monument lifts Montreal into the growing list of cities, from Seattle and Vancouver to Paris, that have made large central libraries the newest pet civic project. Montreal's new library is modern, high-tech and central. But the provincially funded project, which cost $97.6-million to build and another $44-million to stock and equip, is also a gamble: Will it get Quebeckers reading?

"When it comes to public libraries, Quebec was behind, and Montreal was especially far behind," said library CEO Lise Bissonnette, who used to be known for her trenchant pro-sovereignty editorials when she was publisher of the daily Le Devoir.

"I can't solve all the reading problems in Quebec," she said in an interview. "But this is an indispensable tool. It brings Montreal to an excellent level in North America with a library worthy of its name."

The library is certainly an impressive undertaking. Scheduled to open to the public tomorrow after its official inauguration today, the six-level building is in the heart of eastern downtown and offers a collection of 1.2 million books. It has lots of comfy armchairs, 400 computer stations, and plenty of music CD listening posts. The interior is airy and inviting, and the children's section takes over the basement. No fustiness here: A café with outdoor terrace is planned for the main floor and space for second-hand booksellers will be outside.

"We call it a citizens' meeting place," Ms. Bissonnette said. "It's the new cultural institution of the 21st century."

In addition to being Montreal's central library, it also houses Quebec's "national" library collection, which includes virtually everything ever published in the province -- from 18th-century catechism texts to Mordecai Richler's acerbic critiques of Quebec nationalists. One-third of the collection is in English.

The library is earning kudos in a city that takes culture seriously, yet hasn't built a major public project related to culture since the early 1990s. Still, the nagging question is whether one grand monument will help create a province of book lovers.

Montreal's neighbourhood libraries are criticized as being understaffed and underfinanced. Public libraries across the province stock 2.5 books for each Quebec user, compared with three in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. Quebeckers borrow 5.9 library books a year compared with 10.1 in the other three provinces. Quebec has about one-quarter the number of librarians in its public system that Ontario does.

The poor showing is often called a legacy of the Catholic Church; according to popular lore, when advocates obtained a $150,000 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation for a new Montreal library in the early 1900s, church authorities forced them to refuse it.

"For the Catholic Church, books were very dangerous," said Réjean Savard, a professor of library sciences at the University of Montreal. "The truth wasn't supposed to be found in books, but in the priest. So the church blocked libraries' development. You can understand why we're behind today."

How to solve the lag? Experts say the best way to prod the public into libraries is through welcoming, neighbourhood branches. A child won't walk downtown to do his homework or attend an after-school program.

"To foster the culture of reading and literacy, branch libraries are so important," said Don Butcher, executive director of the Canadian Library Association.

Funding will also be crucial. Premier Jean Charest will be on hand to inaugurate the library today, although it was the preceding Parti Québécois government, which saw the library as an expression of its cultural ambitions, that approved it. Over the weekend, 20,000 to 30,000 people are expected for an open house. Once the library gets going, 5,000 visitors are expected to step through its doors each day.

"This library will fill a major void, because we didn't have a decent main library," Prof. Savard said. "We're making the gamble that by building a big library, we'll raise the level of the entire network. I think it will work. But what I'm worried about is that we'll say we've made the effort, then stop.

"We're far from having caught up," he said. "And the battle isn't over."

Looks nice. Where exactly in the city will it be located?

Who's the architect?

Ugly. I wish it was never built that way.

In the Latin Quarter, 475 Maisonneuve E., near Berri
http://www.bnquebec.ca/images/contenu/A_propos/renseignements_generaux/plan_de_localisation_en.gif

I can't remember what was in the space before? From July 2001 (when construction began) that seems pretty quick for such a large project, 355,000 square feet.

http://www.bnquebec.ca/portal/dt/a_propos_bnq/renseignements_generaux/renseignements_generaux.htm

I'm sure it is very functional and has a lot of space and collection. That said, it just looks like a 1960s glass box that will not age well.

In the Latin Quarter, 475 Maisonneuve E., near Berri
http://www.bnquebec.ca/images/contenu/A_propos/renseignements_generaux/plan_de_localisation_en.gif

I can't remember what was in the space before? From July 2001 (when construction began) that seems pretty quick for such a large project, 355,000 square feet.

http://www.bnquebec.ca/portal/dt/a_propos_bnq/renseignements_generaux/renseignements_generaux.htm

thanks for the information

I love this Grand bib , been there many times, this is one of the best thing that I am so in love with in Montreal...maybe it is not your cup of tea but I have no complain

WEll, the best way to know if a building is a success is to see if the people of the city are actually using the damn thing. the Bibliothèque National has had plenty of people visit and use its facilities over the past couple of years.

I'd say it's a success.

I'm in favour of anything that encourages people to read, so if this does then it is money well spent. I have to be honest, when you drive by it, it is not really a beautiful building or colour. But it is the function that is the most important aspect. So, I'd say it is a cultural marvel.

WEll, the best way to know if a building is a success is to see if the people of the city are actually using the damn thing. the Bibliothèque National has had plenty of people visit and use its facilities over the past couple of years.

I'd say it's a success.

I love BANQ. It was the first place I frequented when I moved here and didn't know anybody and I still go 3 or 4 times a week. I've never seen it less than packed and it apparently exceeded the expected usage rate by 50%.

I like the fact that I can access it from the métro and then go on to my classes at UQÀM without having to go outside. They have an huge selection of books in French and English and my girlfriend was amazed at the size or the Spanish selection (she's a loca latina). I also like the top floor music and video department and the self-serve checkout system.

The interior is beautiful and all of the furnishings were designed by Michel Dallaire. He's the guy who designed the street furnishings for Square Victoria and who is now designing all of the new benches, bike posts etc for downtown.

http://www.dallairedesign.com/flash/index.html

I do wish that we had more storefront libraries though. Every quartier has one or two main locations but it would be more convenient if we had more little branch libraries. And I hope that they can solve the falling slats problem!

Here's what the American Library Association had to say about BANQ when they gave it their 2007 award for finest example of library design:

«La Grande Bibliothéque, for the Bibliothéque et Archives nationales du Québec, Montreal, by Patkau / Croft-Pelletier / Menkés Shooner Dagenais Architectes Associés

This public library, the winning entry in an international design competition, consolidates collections dispersed throughout the province to create a resource library for the region and a central public library for the city of Montréal. Four hundred thousand square feet in size, the building contains four major components: a general library, a children’s library, the Collection nationale (historic documents pertaining to Québec) and an assortment of public spaces. Below grade, the library is joined to a major intersection in the Montréal metro system. The Jury members said, “At once urban, human scaled, and extraordinarily open, the building succeeds by its exquisite use of materials and detailing both inside and outside. There is a peaceful, tranquil feel that provides a welcome contrast to its grand urban gesture, masterfully executed. The architects were at the top of their game.”»

http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=news&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=155669

The Grande Biblio is very nice INSIDE, its very useful and well used and much like a ugly girl it looks better in the dark of night. Its so damned ugly seen in the daytime, fitting for the area which is one of the ugliest parts of town!

Are the paneaux still falling down on people's heads or has that been fixed?

The Grande Biblio is very nice INSIDE, its very useful and well used and much like a ugly girl it looks better in the dark of night.

Agreed. From the outside, this building is horrible. the colour they chose was disgusting.

fitting for the area which is one of the ugliest parts of town!


Uh??? When was the last time you went to the Quartier Latin? I would NOT say that it's one of the ugliest in town.:ohno:

Are the paneaux still falling down on people's heads or has that been fixed?

I think they finally fixed that problem!

Uh??? When was the last time you went to the Quartier Latin? I would NOT say that it's one of the ugliest in town.:ohno:


silly habsfie, my dear.

Not le quartier latin but eastwards at la station central, the unfinished and scandalous skeleton of the UQAM fiasco, the hordes of empty lots, the junkie infested square berri, the ugliness of the UQAM buildings (and students) and the general blandness of the surrounding buildings (hotel des gouverneurs and the other concrete monstosities), not to mention the hordes of sans-abris. Walk one block west in le quartier latin and all that changes.

It looks like an ugly 1960s Government of Canada building.
For a city that has such beautiful archetecture this is a true disappointment.
The only person who should be proud of that monstrasety is Stalin.

I am surprised as to why our city always crap out on important designs. When the big O was built, the roof fell. When this Library was built, half of the copper panels fell off.

I really like the building though, it is very nice and has become an icon to the city :okay:

If that new piece of glass is an icon for the city the Montreal is on a downward slope.
Vancouvert's library is very attractive and unique. Toronto's is OK.
Funny, Montreal has such gorgeous historic buildings but a lot of the newer ones are true crap. In Toronto its the opposite. It doesn't have as much historic buildings but its newer buildings are ussually quite handsome and unique. ROM is one example as is AGO.

are you here to stir shit or what?

who said its an icon? Its just a damn library and telling by its visitor count, its frankly a success and on top of that it was built under budget, which is a feat for public works.

and althegreat, another shit stirrer, no glass every fell on anyone's head, why do you LOVE being so negative and spread false info, not everyone reading your posts has the time or willingness to research whatever crap you're posting and telling truth from false.

Personaly, i tihnk the library looks good. Its not like ''OMG, i tihnk i'm gonna have a heart attack'' feeling...but it is a library, meant for people to be inside... ;)

Double post

voilà des photos..... Désolé pour la Qualité, c'Est tout ce que wiki avait... :lol:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Grande_bibliotheque_du_Quebec-exterior.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Grande_bibliotheque_du_Quebec-centre.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Grande_bibliotheque_du_Quebec-collection_nationale.jpg

Alors, c'est quoi le problème du vert-cuivre??? Ca match avec le parlement a ottawa ;) :banana:

Not every building is meant to be an icon! Hardly any of the condos, office buildings, libraries etc being built today are iconic. Some are nicer than others but the vast majority of them resemble dozens of other buildings in other cities (quite often, dozens of others in their own city).

Architecture is a matter of personal taste and not everybody is going to like the same thing. I like BANQ. I think it's sleek and I like the choice of materials and colour. I think that we have too many brown brick, grey concrete, mirror-glass style buildings and I wish that designers would experiment more with different materials and colours. I'm not the only one who likes it. The American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association like it enough to give it an award so..

Besides, the only way to make everyone happy on this forum (except althegreat, he hates EVERYTHING) would be to build an over 50 floor library. It wouldn't matter what it looked like; it could be made out of plywood and have a giant disco ball on the roof, but everybody here would instantly love it because... IT'S OVER 50 FLOORS!!!!

Besides, the only way to make everyone happy on this forum (except althegreat, he hates EVERYTHING)

huh?

I didn't vote because the choices were not accurate. This building is indeed a cultural marvel in the sense that it has been an instant success from the day it opened until now. There are no reasons it should not be. As Habsfan said it so accurately, it is over-frequented -which is the only thing that counts. On the other hand, its external look is (in my honest and humble opinion) deeply shitty. It looks more like a failed industrial design than a cultural icon. From the street level, no passerby would feel attracted to it. It is very typical of most of provincial goverment's building built in the city the last decades : the I.T.H.Q., the Palais de Justice and now this : it seems like the Québec's governement high-rank employees choosing design for Montréal's building don't like the city -at least not enough to grant it good quality architecture.

It's only a library. :? :angel:

It kind of reminds me of that caisse de depot building. :puke:

C'est le building en face du Palais des congrès?
Sérieux elle est vraiment belle cette mini tour!!!
ou peut-être que c'est pas le même building qu'on parle???

C'est le building en face du Palais des congrès?
Sérieux elle est vraiment belle cette mini tour!!!
ou peut-être que c'est pas le même building qu'on parle???

Je pense que oui. :)

boy! je crois que moi et Rumors on n'a pas le même gout!
Sérieux, c'est un de mes préféré building de montreal!!! :P mais il a couté cher par example....! :P lol

boy! je crois que moi et Rumors on n'a pas le même gout!
Sérieux, c'est un de mes préféré building de montreal!!! :P mais il a couté cher par example....! :P lol

Oui j'aime les grands batiments. :cheers:

Oui j'aime les grands batiments. :cheers:

a bien la! Moi aussi! je connais pas grand monde qui n'aime pas les grandes tours sur SSC!!! Mais pour un Miidrise, J'aime Le chose la.... CDP, CGP.... whatever le nom :P... pense c'est CDP... Caise de dépot et placement.... tous cas...

C'est drole, ma soeur et ma mère écoutaient un film quand je faisais mon souper, et le film (Cutting Edge 3... assez plate pour un gars lol) c'étais filmer a Montréal! (mais il faisait assemblais que cétait Paris et une ville Américaine!) Et j'ai vur le palais des congrès (qui étais suposé être une grande aréna a Paris!!! haaha... mais mon dieu, Elle est vraiment belle la fontaine en face... surtout avec le CDP en arrière!!!!!! :P :cheers::nuts:
:D

La CDP est un building de vrai classe. Un des plus beaux au QI. La grande biblio par contre est, (dans mon opinion) un des nouveau building les plud laid! Vert vomit? Come on!

PAR CONTRE...la grande biblio est vraiment belle durant la nuit, vraiment, et l'interieur est vraiment bien!

Rumors : it is not "only a library" it is the main library of the province. As the "flagship" of the culture québécoise, its design should have been treated with more respect. I don't mind its high-tech style :even high-tech design can create great buildings. It is repulsive -in the sense that a passerby is definitely not naturally attracted to it. From the stree level, it is cold. If it generates a feeling on the pedestrian walking close to it, it is one of discomfort.

Rumors : it is not "only a library" it is the main library of the province. As the "flagship" of the culture québécoise, its design should have been treated with more respect. I don't mind its high-tech style :even high-tech design can create great buildings. It is repulsive -in the sense that a passerby is definitely not naturally attracted to it. From the stree level, it is cold. If it generates a feeling on the pedestrian walking close to it, it is one of discomfort.

Je suis desole. I am sorry. :pet: :yes:

Sorry because you said that "this is just a library" ?? Ce n'est quand même pas la fin du monde !!

Rumors : it is not "only a library" it is the main library of the province. As the "flagship" of the culture québécoise, its design should have been treated with more respect. I don't mind its high-tech style :even high-tech design can create great buildings. It is repulsive -in the sense that a passerby is definitely not naturally attracted to it. From the stree level, it is cold. If it generates a feeling on the pedestrian walking close to it, it is one of discomfort.

You are right, a library is a cultural center in an given area, and a provincial library has greater importance to our society. But architecture is subjective and in my opinion the Grand Bibliotheque is nicely built. Very good design, and like habsman said it selves its purpose well.

If that new piece of glass is an icon for the city the Montreal is on a downward slope. Vancouvert's library is very attractive and unique. Toronto's is OK. Funny, Montreal has such gorgeous historic buildings but a lot of the newer ones are true crap. In Toronto its the opposite. It doesn't have as much historic buildings but its newer buildings are ussually quite handsome and unique. ROM is one example as is AGO.They always said good things don't get to spread around much ,somehow it's true but don't forget the reason behind some not good news that generate alot of people's attention by some bad apple that want to disgrace the other , unfortunate problem in new buidlings occur all the time ,big deal ,it happens every where in every City around the world , no one is immune , don't draw a conclusion so fast ,and this Library is not a fancy thing to look at or to worship ,it is just a nice , pleasant public Library with everything you need in a Library, I have been there many times and loving it , who cares about Toronto's or Vancouver's , we are just happy with what we have here

I'm sure that it is a very good library and that of course is the main thing.
That said, when a city/province builds a building that is of such important culural and social significance then they should spend more on it's isthetics.

A subway is a metro is a subway but aren't you glad your Metro doesn't look like Toronto subways. Toronto's subway is a truly excellent subway system but it still looks like a bathroom with the tiles and all.

Functuality is first and foremost but if you make a true architectural marvel it becomes a piece of pride for the city instead just another public building.

Beauty is in the eyes of beholder , so that's an endless Subject to argue , Iconic or not is what people want it to be ,that also goes for one man's trash is the other treasure's, and nothing in this world is perfect , keep in mind as a human being we are constantly in a learning process. the best advise is to be positive, enjoy wherever you are doesn't matter what they say...( by the way this building according to you as downward slope is a join venture of two companies one from Quebec and the other from your Bristish columbia province , you should ask them why did they come up with such a design, maybe next time they will consult with you for their next project some where in Canada and hopefuly around the world )

I'm in favour of anything that encourages people to read, so if this does then it is money well spent. I have to be honest, when you drive by it, it is not really a beautiful building or colour. But it is the function that is the most important aspect. So, I'd say it is a cultural marvel.

I agree with you on that one; however, compared to many of Montreal's other buildings, it's definitely not an architectural marvel. At least in my opinion it isn't.

**

I happen to love the Vancouver Library but I never said Vancouver doesn't have A LOT of ugly buildings. Vancouver excels at steel and glass boxes and the building they do have are always under threat of being razed for another high rise condo.
All the new houses are all made of either stucco {which shows its age in 5 years and in Vancouver's case leaks like a sive} or ugly vinel siding.
vancouver has none of the beautiful brick buildings of Ontario that actually look better the older they are.

I was there last week and I checked out the North America maps exhibit. Nothing much of interest but the library is kind of impressive. It is very spatial, a lot of natural light and high ceilings.

All the signs are in french so if you don't speak french, you would have no clue how to find things. If a quarter of the books there are in English, then why not post some bilingual signs? It won't contravene language sign laws.

Also, for a place so grand, why are there so few washrooms?

There are washrooms on every floor and it takes you maximum two minutes from the furthest corner of the building to them ,for informations in English the receptionist table is also infront of the elevator on each floor waiting to help , further more there's great numbers of computers you can use for free to speed up your research , why didn't you use them ?

There are washrooms on every floor and it takes you maximum two minutes from the furthest corner of the building to them ,for informations in English the receptionist table is also infront of the elevator on each floor waiting to help , further more there's great numbers of computers you can use for free to speed up your reseach , why didn't you use them ?

;)

it sure doesnt look good on a rainy day...

^^Yeah right , like you don't have anything to say and then throw a bunch of nonsense words out of your mouth , what would look good in the rain ? how pathetic

^^Yeah right , like you don't have anything to say and then throw a bunch of nonsense words out of your mouth , what would look good in the rain ? how pathetic


Easy!!:)

^^ I know , I am just acting sometimes , but I think It works :lol::lol::lol:

All the signs are in french so if you don't speak french, you would have no clue how to find things. If a quarter of the books there are in English, then why not post some bilingual signs? It won't contravene language sign laws.

no bilingual signs ever in provincial buildings.

Je n'aime pas l'intérieur de la bibliothèque...

Je n'aime pas l'intérieur de la bibliothèque...

I find the interior to be fine, it's the exterior that is horrible!

I find the interior to be fine, it's the exterior that is horrible!

Me too. :)

The exterior may be on the boring side, I agree. I can handle that part.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Grande_bibliotheque_du_Quebec-collection_nationale.jpg
Source: Wikipedia

I just thought that picture screwed up everything about the library: it's so stale and boring: very industrial like. Not the best place to be studying or reading a book: no natural lighting, cramp space, nothing. At least some sort of community art hanging from the ceiling or on the wooden panels would look nice.

The Library is design to give it self the most natural light as possible. Sometimes, industrial/minimal design is good :okay:

I find the interior to be fine as well. The exterior looks modern, so I don`t mind it niether.

deasine, have you been to the library? Because its full of natural light.

Community art?? wtf, its not a community library.

deasine, have you been to the library? Because its full of natural light.

Community art?? wtf, its not a community library.

No I haven't. I know that the section of the library facing the widnows would have a lot of light. In that picture, it seems that the centre part is basically lit by the lights. Skylights could've been easily done? But I think I did say I was judging from that picture alone.

Community art wasn't a good example sorry. But that doesn't mean there should be no art at all. The could've had a few different patterns for those "wooden shutters" in that picture.

Other than that, I'm fine with the library.

Montreal's Grand Bibliothèque du Québec...what do you think?

I must've already shared my revulsion at the slew of airport-looking designs appearing in and around the city centre. If this library were such a cultural institution, which it really ought to be (damn it!), then how come us locals are still being reported its crappiness (as follows)?!?

Crash! Grande Bibliothèque loses 3 more windows

ALAN HUSTAK
The Gazette

Thursday, September 04, 2008

MONTREAL- Three more windows have popped out of the Grande Bibliothèque, this time on the south side of the library building facing de Maisonneuve Blvd.

Since the library opened three years ago, more than a dozen panes of the green-hued glass have tumbled from the east side of the building along Berri St.

Library officials said yesterday the latest incident had been expected, which is why a safety trench had been installed to shield pedestrians from the falling glass. Each pane costs about $3,000 to replace, and 13 panes have had to be replaced since the building opened.

On Tuesday, three windows directly exposed to the heat of the morning sun buckled and fell.

"The sudden change in temperature on Monday is to blame," library spokesperson Claire-Hélène Lengellé said.

"It's one of the characteristics of newly tempered glass. It reacts to unexpected changes in temperature," she added.

"The longer the windows remain up, the tempered glass will stabilize, and there will be less chance of their breaking."

The $144-million library was designed by Vancouver architect John Patkau, but his concept was modified to save money. Originally, sheets of copper, which flex with temperature changes, were to have been used to cover the facade.

Rather than replace all 6,200 panes of glass - which would cost at least $3 million - the library decided to install a $750,000 safety perimeter around the building to protect pedestrians from the occasional falling panel.

The dense shrubs and aluminum canopies around two sides of the building have worked, Lengellé said.

"We're very pleased when we see how effective our safety wall is," she said. "It went up at the end of July, just in time, and it worked wonderfully.

"Our contractors tell us it's normal to expect a few windows to fall like this - about half of one per cent. It's the nature of the material that was used."

ahustak@thegazette.canwest. com


It's embarassing!

Rather than replace all 6,200 panes of glass - which would cost at least $3 million - the library decided to install a $750,000 safety perimeter around the building to protect pedestrians from the occasional falling panel.


SImply pathetic!!!

Wonder who will be found liable for the extra expenditure...

Amazingly the Le Grand Bibliotheque still does wonder by attracting more and more members every day , this is how Montreal works , you love ,hate ,kiss, toss it ,then people will always comeback to enjoy whatever it is :lol:

The main thing is that people use the library, thus it is a success. Shame about the physical problems of the windows, but happy that people are using the facilities so heavily.

Yes , I guess we can't just sit and whine about it forever what is done is done ,we get on with life as usual...just a little tickling once in awhile hehe !